Too Soon!

We got some snow this week and while it was pretty at first, we were not ready for it this early in the season. In fact, I think this was actually the third measurable snowfall we've had. Four inches of snow would be expected in December, but NOT early November!

Unfortunately, we've remained in the deep freeze so the snow is STILL on the ground. Hopefully we'll soon get back to more seasonable temperatures...otherwise I'll be ready to put up the tree and call it Christmas!

It's Spring in Texas!

This was the scene in our neighborhood a couple of days ago. The snow did melt, but now it's snowing again. Winter just won't give up!

 

It may still be be winter in Iowa but I can assure you that it's spring in Texas! On the first full day of my recent visit, Daughter and I went to a local greenhouse to pick up flowers, vegetables, and herbs to plant. We spent the afternoon potting up everything and now her balcony looks like spring!

 

  It was fun to go to a greenhouse in a different part of the country. There were several varieties of plants, flowers, and trees which we don't have here in the Midwest.

And some flowers which only work in pots around here thrive year-round in Texas. I felt like I was in the tropics!

 Imagine having bougainvillea like these in your yard!

 Check out the size of these pots! You know what they say...everything's bigger in Texas! 

 

  I saw succulents galore and in varieties far surpassing any greenhouse in these parts. Of course, succulents thrive outdoors in Texas.

And check out this huge hanging thing! It appeared to be some sort of massive palm.

This hibiscus was as big as a dinner plate. Gorgeous color!

 And of course we found all the zinnias you could possibly want! We took a few home with us.

 

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this transplanted Iowa girl is making her own compost now. It is rich and black, much like Iowa soil -- very different than the red and sandy dirt in Texas. She had quite a bit of this good stuff to mix into the potting soil. I'm expecting good things to happen with this compost!

It was a beautiful day for planting up all the pots!

  

When we were done, we put our feet up and enjoyed the view!

 

 Even Rory has a nice view of the flowers from her cat tree.

What a lovely place for morning coffee! Unfortunately, the weather got a little cold during the rest of my stay, but I enjoyed a couple of nice mornings out on the balcony.

I only wish I could have brought some of that warm spring weather back home with me!

 Come on, spring! 😊

jp

Eagle Observation

 For the past several weeks, a group of bald eagles has been hunting near a small pond close to where we live. You can't miss them, because nature enthusiasts have been also camped out by the pond with their binoculars and high-powered cameras. Their vehicles line the shoulder of the busy highway near the pond.

I pass by the pond frequently, but only last week did I finally have my camera with me and have time to stop. I pulled off the highway and got out of my SUV. I could tell by the strong scent in the air that this must be a good place for the eagles to fish. Whew! 

I don't have a big camera, but I still managed to get a few decent shots of the eagles with my little point-and-shoot camera ...

 

...even though the trees where they were perched were fairly far from where I stood.

I'm old enough to remember when eagles were very much in danger of dying out, so I'm rather amazed by the fact that today there are so many of them just hanging out and doing their food chain thing almost in our own backyard.

As I stood and watched, one of the eagles must have spotted a fish in the pond. He began a long, circular spiral down toward the water.

As he got closer to the water's surface, he looped up again and headed back to the tree. No fish this time.

But later that day, I stopped again (this time without my camera) and saw another eagle spiral downward and attempt to snag a fish from the water. From where I was standing, I couldn't see the catch in his talons but I assume he was successful.

What a privilege it is to see these mighty birds at work in our midst. If you live in the Des Moines area, don't miss this amazing sight.